Breathingbook

So far, Hebrews 1:1-6 has been devoted to proving through the scriptures how Jesus Christ is higher than the angels. We now come to Heb 1:7 which quotes Psalm 104:4. Keep in mind the concept of Key Words and phrases. No matter how brief the quote, it’s always important to look it up and keep things in context. In this case Psalms 104 is important because it’s entirely devoted to praising the glorious works of God! Since it’s already been established that Jesus Christ is the one who created all things (Heb 1:2-3; Jn 1:1-3; Eph 3:9; Col 1:15-19; Heb 11:3), the whole of Psalms 104 is a celebration of all that Jesus has done! So, to anyone knowing that truth of proper doctrine, what seems like a minor reference is actually huge, because of all that Psalms 104 has to say and it says a lot! Read the rest of this entry »

In the preceding studies of Heb 1:1-5 we’ve covered many of the ways Jesus has fulfilled prophecies regarding the promised Messiah. They’ve been laid them out, line upon line, according to the to path the author of Hebrews has directed. The author of Hebrews has written to a fellow Hebrew audience (Jews) as familiar with his Key phrases.  The majority of Christian converts from Gentile backgrounds would know none of these reference off the top of their heads unless they’d obtained classical Jewish instruction.

Let’s move on with the study.

Heb 1:6 And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.

the first begotten Speaks of Jesus being the firstborn of God. The Gk. word used for “first begotten” is “prototokos” which is translated both “firstbegotten” and “firstborn” in the NT.

Under the Law of Moses the firstborn according to the flesh was given certain privileges (it was forbidden to disinherit the firstborn and they also received a double-portion (Deu 21:15-17) of the inheritance). Howbeit, the meaning of the firstbegotton here is NOT referring to the fleshly institution of inheritance, but to the Spiritual.

Many times in scripture, the firstborn according to the flesh is actually passed over in by God for certain blessings.

Whether it be Esau being passed over in favor of Jacob (Gen 27:1-41), Issac over Ishmael (Gen 25:5,6; Heb 11:17-18; Gal 4:28-29), or Joseph over Reuben (Gen 48:21-49:4), etc., whenever God doesn’t choose to bless the firstborn according to the flesh, He just doesn’t. Read the rest of this entry »

In Heb 1:4 we covered how Jesus is far better than the angels. Heb 1:5 begins a series where the author of Hebrews points specifically to fulfilled Old Testament prophecies describing the Messiah and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. These are given to strengthen one’s faith by clarifying what OT scriptures were fulfilled in Christ and offering explanation for things previously not understood. The entire book of Hebrews continues to do this, addressing believers undergoing extreme trials, suffering, and possibly persecution, who consequently were considering returning to the life they knew before coming to Christ (1 Pet 3:14-15).

Let us begin.

Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said He at any time, THOU ART MY SON, THIS DAY HAVE I BEGOTTEN THEE? And again, I WILL BE TO HIM A FATHER, AND HE SHALL BE TO ME A SON?

Now, notice this first sections similarities to Psa 2:7.

Read the rest of this entry »

Greetings! This is the beginning of a section (Heb 1:4-14) which lays out key prophecies from the OT about the Messiah and compares Him to the ways and functions of angels. This information is foundational, because it not only substantiates Jesus as the prophesied Messiah, but informs us of many of the characteristics and functions of angels.

Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

1:4 so much better than the angels Now, angels had always been the topic of much curiosity and speculation among the Jews. They are beings of power who sometimes carry the characteristic appearance of humans when they are not showing their wings or disguised in some other form or fashion. The author of Hebrew understood how believers would need a clear understanding about angels so they could answer not only the questions they had within themselves, but also the questions of their main retractors. Therefore, beginning here, the author of Hebrews continues bringing up the charactistics, forms and functions of angels on through to Heb 2:16. Read the rest of this entry »

In continuing with the Hebrews bible study, I’d like to step back a bit into Heb 1:2 to note a point I didn’t make in my last post.

Heb 1:1,2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds.

The last two posts (Heb 1:1,2) carried forth the idea that God had spoken in many ways in the past, but never had He revealed Himself to mankind in the manner which He did when He came as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, by whom God the Father also made the worlds.

by whom also He made the worlds The Greek word for “worlds” is “aion” and can mean ages, worlds, or perpetuity (lasting for eternity). Since this Gk word is also plural, the scripture also suggests that God used Jesus to make more than one world, age or eternity.

Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

1:3 being the brightness of His glory The word ‘brightness” comes from the Gk word “apaugasma” which means “off-flash” which suggests a beaming forth that comes “away” or “off” of something. I.e., Christ is the bright beaming off-flash of the Glory of God. The Gk word for “glory” is “doxa” and describes a dignity and honor that results in praise and worship. Read the rest of this entry »

Last time we touched on how God had spoken to mankind in many ways and manners in the OT, but never had He revealed Himself to mankind the way He did when He came to earth as Jesus Christ.

Heb 1:1,2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds.

1:2 in these last days Most Jews from Jesus’ time on earth were familiar with the phrase “last days” from the Old Testament, understanding it to mean the time of the Messiah’s coming to earth and the setting up of His earthly kingdom. Now, Jesus is the Messiah and there are a few scriptures which speak of the Kingdom of God being among us in the gospels (Mat 12:24-29; Mk 9:1-9; Lk 4:43,9:27-36). The Kingdom of God, at this time, has already come in a spiritual sense. Yet, that aspect of the Kingdom is only given or made apparent (Lk 19:11-28) through and within true believers of Jesus Christ (Lk 17:20-21) via the Holy Spirit. Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to my little study on Heb 1:1 from the book of Hebrews. I’m using the line upon line, line upon line method of study with the King James Version of the Bible – mostly because it’s in the public domain and I don’t have to worry about copyright issues. Hope you enjoy the study! Let’s get started!

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.

God. This is God Almighty; the Father and part of the divine Trinity. The New Testament was originally written in Greek (Gk.), so the Gk. word used here; theos, simply means a deity. In this case, God, the Supreme Divinity. Read the rest of this entry »

Since I keep referring to demons being fallen angels, I figured I’d put this post up so y’all would know where to find that in scripture. In a way, it’s another preliminary for the ongoing Hebrews study. I hope you find it helpful.

In Rev 12:3,7-10, it revealed to us that Satan is also known as the Devil, the great Red Dragon, the Serpent, and the Accuser. Read the rest of this entry »